Our Jesuit Tradition

Saint Joseph's University was founded by the Jesuits — visionary Catholic priests and educators who prioritized social justice, the pursuit of excellence, service to others, and the development of the whole person, or, cura personalis. One of only 28 universities and colleges nationwide exemplifying this 500-year- old Jesuit tradition, SJU offers each of its students an educational experience that will hone their skills, expand their knowledge, grow their faith and strengthen their character.

"Laudato si" is a Call for Justice

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Springer

Clint Springer, Ph.D., associate professor of biolog is available to comment on Pope Francis’s anticipated climate change encyclical, “Laudato si,” (Praised Be). Springer studies the effects of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on the growth and development of plants. His comment about the social justice aspect of climate change, and the responsibility of all peoples to address its challenges, appears below.

“Human-induced climate change is one of the most pressing challenges that society has faced. Scientific evidence strongly suggests that the effects of climate change will impair the ability of natural and agricultural ecosystems to provide the services that are necessary to sustain healthy lives for the global community. This makes climate change not only a scientific, economic and political issue, but also a moral one. His Holiness Pope Francis's imminent encyclical could frame climate change as a social justice issue that requires the response of all people. Considering the long history of Catholic social teaching and its effect as a force for societal change, it is my hope that this encyclical will be a call to action for the world's more than 1 billion Catholics and all people of good will to make the changes needed to create an environment that will sustain current and future generations, in both the developing and developed world.”

Springer can be reached for comment at 610-660-3432, at cspringe@sju.edu, or by calling the Office of University Communications at 610-660-3240.